The Difference Between Managing Users, Essay Example

Planning and Implementing a Network 

In the current state, we have implemented a hardware based infrastructure including routers, servers, workstations, and switches etc., there is a requirement of configuring adequate controls on the network. File sharing threats are spreding on a rapid pace. New file sharing technologies are getting popularity. One of them is Peer to Peer file sharing. A study by (JOHNSON, MCGUIRE, & WILLEY, 2009) states that “The popularity of peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing has created many new security risks for individuals and organizations”. Controls will not only provide value from all network based services, but will also augment productivity for the organization in terms of revenue, customer loyalty and competitive advantage. Currently there are two options, either ‘workgroup’ based or ‘Domain’ based access management controls. Workgroup based environment is not centralized. For instance, users can only login, if they have account created on that specific computer. As far as security is concerned, there are no passwords, resulting in anyone to log on the network. Moreover, workgroup only recognize twenty to twenty five computers that are on the same subnet. For instance, we have application servers that are on the different subnet, users will not be able to access applications, as they are configured on a different subnet. On the other hand, Domain based environment provides centralized administration and access for users (EDWARDS, GRINTER, MAHAJAN, & WETHERALL, 2011). All staff has to enter user credentials, in order to identify themselves on the network before doing any work. Moreover, computers with different subnet are supported and thousands of computers can be connected on the domain based environment. For instance, if a computer stops responding, employees or users can log on from some other computer and no work is halted. Therefore, Domain based network environments are more effective and are compatible to the current network scenario.

References

Edwards, W. K., Grinter, R. E., Mahajan, R., & Wetherall, D. (2011). Advancing the state of home networking. Communications of the ACM, 54(6), 62-71. doi:10.1145/1953122.1953143

Johnson, M. E., Mcguire, D., & Willey, N. D. (2009). Why file sharing networks are dangerous? Communications of the ACM, 52(2), 134-138.